A trip to the Rhine gorge is a must for any visitor to the Surselva valley. Today’s 13-kilometre-long gorge, in places as much as 400 metres deep, is the product of a cataclysmic geological event, the Flims rockslide, which took place 10,000 years ago. You can explore this natural wonder from the water, on foot, or by bike, car or train.
By train / by foot:
Start at Reichenau station. Suggested itinerary: drive to the station and leave your car there (parking ticket required). Tickets are available online directly from the Rhaetian Railway, in the Postauto busses, or from Guest Information Flims Laax Falera.
The train leaves from platform 3. The train ride, which takes half an hour in total, follows the upper course of the Rhine via Versam and Valendas to Ilanz. The impressive landscape features you will see from the train include steep limestone cliffs and larger-than-life rock formations.
First stop: Trin
At Trin, the Rhine is spanned by the Punt Ruinaulta, the longest suspension bridge in Graubünden.
Next stop: Versam-Station
The most scenic walking route around starts right here at Versam-Station. So what are you waiting for? Get out of that train! The path leads right along the bank of the Rhine all the way from Versam-Station to Valendas. This medium-difficulty walk takes around one and a half hours to complete on foot.
Tip:
At Versam station, you can stop for refreshments at the Café zur Einkehr or get some tasty treats from the fridge in the waiting room. There is also a very nice fireplace between Versam station and Valendas.
Once you reach Valendas, it is time to board the train again and continue your journey.
Lunch/refreshment stop:
Light snacks are available from the train station in Valendas. If you are looking for something a little more substantial, we recommend the Gasthaus am Brunnen in the centre of Valendas village.
Final stop: Ilanz.
If you are returning to Reichenau by train, it is worth using the time before your train leaves to explore Ilanz’s little old town, where some of the buildings date back to the seventeenth and even sixteenth centuries.
